Hi all! I am responding to Attie Sandick's post about the volunteer in her hospital. As far as I know, I am the only private IBCLC in my city. As a result, I get a lot of calls for intern hours. Although everyone who calls me feels as though they are legitimate, many have no idea how many hours are involved in the process. Attie, we must first keep apples and oranges separate. ILCA and IBCLE are two different bodies. ILCA is our national organization, and IBCLE is the credentialing organization. Does your volunteer have a college degree? If not, it is going to take quite a long time for her to get these hours. Attempting to become a LLL Leader could help since an active Leader receives 500 hours per year. However, LLL doesn't let just anyone become a Leader. If she doesn't have a baby yet, or she cannot agree with all of the 10 Philosophy Concepts, she will not be considered for Leadership. When dealing with these IBCLC want-to-bes, I am very honest about what is involved. Often they have no idea what is required. One woman called me, and asked if she could practice as a Lactation Specialist, and record her own hours for IBCLE!!! I am also slightly concerned about the "legitimacy" of the hours that are accepted by IBCLE. We have a local person who is planning to sit for the exam, and I cannot figure out how she possibly has enough hours to qualify!! I strongly encourage women who have talent and should become IBCLCs, but I also discourage those who appear to be in it for the ego and money (<where's the money? Enquiring minds want to know...). And Attie, this volunteer needs to be controlled. Your professional liability is at stake. My guess is that given the opportunity to operate on her own, this volunteer would introduce herself as a Lactation Consultant. Create strict boundaries, and if she can't follow them, see want can be done to remove her from the volunteer list... Debbie Albert, IBCLC